Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh are back in the 2012 London Games to defend their Olympic title and claim the gold medal for the third time in a row.

May-Treanor and Walsh represented Team USA in women’s beach volleyball at the 2004 Athens Games and the 2008 Beijing Games and won gold at both appearances.

So yes, you could call them a powerful duo.

And really, there is nothing stopping the pair from clinching their third gold medal for the U.S. If you’ve been watching May-Treanor and Walsh at all this Olympics, you can see why they are so successful and highly acclaimed.

There is just something about them. They are so fluid and connected on the sand, like two different parts of one volleying machine.

The duo beat Italy in a quick two-set match “taking just 33 minutes to win 21-13, 21-13” (via Stacy St. Clair of the Chicago Tribune). And as they advance in the semifinals, Misty and Kerri show that they are relentless in their path to the podium.

When asked about the possibility of playing the other U.S. team of Jennifer Kessy and April Ross, Walsh replied,

May-Treanor and Walsh are incredible to watch. Their reflexes and reaction times are unparalleled to any other team and they play with stunning power and strategy. When Misty dives and saves the ball, Kerri is up and ready to bump it over. Just watch them play and you’ll see why no other team stands a chance.

Team USA fans are certain to find themselves open-mouthed and seeing gold as they watch May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings take the sand in the final match.